Nutrient intake, anthropometric data and correlations with the systemic antioxidant capacity of women with pelvic endometriosis

Objective: Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease of uncertain etiology. There is currently insufficient evidence to assess the participation of nutritional and anthropometric aspects and their association with systemic oxidative stress.

Study design: Twenty-five women with endometriosis and twenty controls were selected and evaluated to determine calorie and nutrient intake, to obtain data on body composition and analyze antioxidant capacity by measuring total serum thiol levels using DTNB (5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid).

Results: Mean total daily calorie intake in the women in the endometriosis group was significantly higher than that of the women in the control group (p=0.005). With respect to nutrient intake, the only statistically significant difference found referred to a higher intake of fiber in the endometriosis group and of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Nutrient intake by the women in the endometriosis group was similar to that of women in the control group, the only differences being a higher intake of fiber in the endometriosis group and of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the control group. Antioxidant capacity was lower in the women with endometriosis but there was no correlation with nutrient intake or overweight.